IFAW responds to record breaking single stranding of 28–30 bottlenose dolphins in Massachusetts

International Fund for Animal Welfare rushed to the scene Monday morning of an unfortunate record-breaking event in the Bay State.

Senior Director of Communications Global Programs Stacey Hedman stated that IFAW’s marine mammal rescue experts responded to reports of a mass stranding of 28–30 bottlenose dolphins between First Light and Ellis Landing in Brewster, at approximately 5:30 a.m. today.

The dolphins refloated with the incoming tide, while an additional 5-6 animals died before their team arrived. The IFAW team remains in the area to monitor and herd the animals away from shore before and after the low tide at 5:13 p.m.

According to Hedman, bottlenose dolphins are typically an offshore species, though IFAW has seen an increasing trend of these animals occurring closer to Cape Cod’s shores in recent years. This is now the largest known stranding of bottlenose dolphins off Massachusetts. The area within the ‘crook’ of Wellfleet and Eastham is a globally recognized hotspot for mass stranding events due to the extreme tidal fluctuations and the shallow flats of Cape Cod’s unique geography.

Similar to a person involved in a car accident, dolphins can become injured and exhausted during a stranding event and should never be pushed or dragged back into the water. Members of the public who encounter a stranded or distressed marine mammal should keep a safe distance and contact trained rescue experts through the IFAW Stranding Hotline.